Why University of Montana?
The University of Montana School of Law offers a practice-rich legal education with a strong emphasis on experiential learning, particularly in areas relevant to the American West like Indian Law and Natural Resources.
University of Montana is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 66.1%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.64 GPA and 154 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.33–3.80 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 91 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Montana, Alaska, and Illinois — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. University of Montana admitted few or zero transfer students in the most recent reporting cycle — transfer-in slots are extremely limited.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #91
- Median GPA
- 3.64
- 25th–75th: 3.33–3.80
- Median LSAT
- 154
- 25th–75th: 151–158
- Acceptance rate
- 66.1%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 91
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1Montana
- 2Alaska
- 3Illinois
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define University of Montana's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Montana" essay where they align with your interests.
- Land Use and Natural Resources Law ClinicProvides support to government entities on land use and natural resources issues, with tracks in land use, water, and wildlife law.
- Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law ClinicOffers practical experience in Indian law, focusing on issues affecting tribal governments, justice systems, and Indian people.
- Veterans Advocacy ClinicServes low-income veterans with legal services for VA claims, appeals, or DoD discharge upgrades, providing students hands-on experience in complex administrative systems.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Montana Law Review— Chronicles and evaluates developments in Montana law, publishing scholarly articles on regional and national legal topics.
- Public Land & Resources Law Review— Focuses on legal issues related to public lands and land use, natural resources and the environment, and tribal and federal Indian relations.
- Montana Law Review Online— Provides timely legal scholarship, including previews of important upcoming cases in Montana jurisprudence.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
Administrative Law
- Pippa Browde· also Business Organizations and Corporate Law, Tort Law
- Michelle Bryan· also Environmental Law, Property Law
- Elaine Gagliardi· also Business Organizations and Corporate Law
Business Organizations and Corporate Law
- Jonathon Byington· also Criminal Law and Procedure
Consumer Law and Protection
- Craig Cowie· also Business Organizations and Corporate Law
Criminal Law and Procedure
- Andrew King-Ries· also Professional Responsibility
Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation
- Paul Kirgis· also Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law
Indian Law
- Kekek Stark· also Administrative Law
Veterans Law
- Hillary Wandler· also Criminal Law and Procedure
Environmental Law
- Sandra Zellmer· also Property Law, Water Law
What makes University of Montana distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·All third-year students are required to participate in a faculty-supervised clinic, providing hands-on experience with real clients.
- ·The curriculum emphasizes practical skills training from the first year, including 'Lawyering Fundamentals' and simulation courses in business transactions and pretrial litigation.
- ·Offers several joint degree programs, including a JD/MPA, JD/MS in Environmental Studies, and JD/MS in Social Work.
- ·Provides certificate programs in American Indian Law, Natural Resources and Environmental Law, and Natural Resources Conflict Resolution.
- ·Features special programs like the Rural Justice Initiative and the Baucus Leaders program, offering public service and internship opportunities in Montana and Washington, D.C.
Using this for your "Why University of Montana" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about University of Montana
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Montana?▾
University of Montana's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.64 and a median LSAT of 154. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.33–3.80 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Montana's acceptance rate?▾
University of Montana's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 66.1%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Montana offer?▾
University of Montana's notable clinical programs include: Land Use and Natural Resources Law Clinic, Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic, Veterans Advocacy Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Montana publish?▾
University of Montana's notable student-edited journals include: Montana Law Review, Public Land & Resources Law Review, Montana Law Review Online.
Where do University of Montana graduates work?▾
University of Montana graduates concentrate employment in Montana, Alaska, Illinois, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to University of Montana
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
About to start at University of Montana?
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (5) — verify any fact above
- https://www.umt.edu/law/academics/clinic-program/default.php
- https://www.umt.edu/law/academics/special-programs/default.php
- https://www.umt.edu/law/faculty/faculty-specialties-overview.php
- https://scholarworks.umt.edu/journals.html
- https://www.umt.edu/law/academics/degrees/default.php
Generated from public sources via search-grounded AI on 4/27/2026. If any fact looks wrong, click through to verify and let us know.